Oma Vogt!- Patrick James Dunn Is this an outtake from Mrs Doubtfire?
Isle of Skye, Scotland.
Hello Kenton, Winnipeg, Brantford and Kingston!
Sad to report that Mom died this past Wednesday around 1:00. It was a bit of a shock inasmuch as Corinne and I went over in the morning to see her and staff reported that she was very much improved. She had eaten most of a bowl of porridge, (One of her favourite foods as all the Prairie Folk will appreciate!), and downed a full glass of juice. Delighted with the news, we went to see her but the staff were changing her so we decided to deliver Vancouver International Writers Festival programs on Granville Island, (one of our volunteer duties), before coming back. Finished around 12:30pm and came home for a bite of lunch and shortly thereafter we received a call to inform us that she was slipping away. We dropped everything and hurried over to find that she has stopped breathing moments before we arrived. Staff were very considerate and left us to sit with Mom after they had changed her gown. Even though we knew things might well happen like this, at any time, it was still tough, as I'm sure you can appreciate. Just very glad that we were home to be with her for even a few days.
Just to back up, Lodge phoned Monday morning as she had been sent to VGH for an x-ray. I visited her there and in discussion with doctor we agreed that it was best to return her to Broadway Lodge. He said he couldn't say for sure but he didn't think she would last more than a few days, if that. I visited her again, in the early afternoon as I had asked to be phoned when she arrived back in her room. I came home around 4:30pm to pick up a few things to read while I sat with her and held her hand. While her breathing was extremely laboured, her grip was very firm.
On a slightly lighter note, I told her that she looked like Mother Teresa when I walked into her room. The staff had wrapped her up as she was shivering when she was delivered by ambulance. Coriandre came with me when I went back and she dabbed her forehead with a cool cloth while I cut her nails. Cora Lee had a release party for Jim Byrnes, just up the street from us at a recording studio on 1st, a block before Burrard. She really liked the cuts that were performed off I Hear the Wind in the Wires. Invitees were each presented with a copy of the CD so I'm looking forward to hearing it.
I stayed at Mom's bedside and spooned her an enriched drink. She seemed to relish the thickened liquid and I was very pleased to see that her swallowing reflex was not impaired. As well, she drank about half a glass of juice through a straw. If she could continue to take in such liquid nourishment the staff planned to give her a course of antibiotics. Given her state of health and age, (She was to turn 99 on September 22nd, as you might know.), IV's were not be used but if she could manage to take in food orally, mixed with the medication, everyone felt she might well fight the pneumonia. In the recent past she had demonstrated just how tough she was, coming back from a heart attack while we were in Australia, this past April. Nevertheless, keeping her as comfortable as possible was really our main concern.
I spent about three hours at her bedside on Tuesday morning/afternoon and was very pleased that I was able to spoon her all of her protein shake and a full glass of thickened juice. Her blood pressure had gone up from the night before when Chloë visited so that was a good sign. Her breathing was still laboured but she seemed quite comfortable when sleeping.
Cora Lee hosted a Friends of VPL bbq that evening and it was a lovely affair. We went downstairs to The Cave afterwards to visit with Flamin' and Sarge, just back from California that afternoon. Chloë came down after visiting Mom, once again at the end her shift, and reported that her blood pressure was holding in spite of her difficult respiration. Everyone was heartened and we all went to bed not dreading a call in the middle of the night.
As I mentioned above, given her seeming "rally" in the face of the very serious pneumonia, I suppose we all felt that she might pull through, much as she's done last April. I don't know for sure but I surmise that her poor heart may simply have finally not been strong enough after putting up such a valiant fight.
We spent most of Thursday morning removing all her possessions from her room. Simpler to use a large dolly to wheel all the cartons from the Lodge to our place. The Annexe is now filled with boxes of pictures and ornaments that we will need to sift through when we have time. (Bev/Kevin Wittwer, friends from Perth, arrived this afternoon, for two weeks, and Greg, my brother-in-law from Winnipeg left on Wednesday night, after being with us for almost a week.) After we had finished, Chloë and Corinne took four large boxes/bags to the Salvation Army Thrift Store on 4th and Mom's TV to their outlet on Broadway and 12th. Corinne had saved some of the nicer items of clothing and jewelry to give to Dodie, Mom's friend there. Once home, I was on the phone to Affordable Crematorium & Burial Ltd., the funeral home nominated by the Memorial Society, Canada Service, Manitoba Civil Service Superannuation Board, to make all the necessary arrangements, cancellation notices for pensions, etc. All of the service personnel I dealt with were extremely considerate, efficient and helpful so I have managed to accomplish much of the needed paperwork.
We intend to have a memorial service at Trinity United, here in Vancouver, the church Mom attended ever since moving to Vancouver, later in September. Her wishes were to have her remains buried beside my Dad in Winnipeg, Chapel Lawn, so we will organize a service next summer. We were planning to return to Winnipeg to celebrate Corinne's parents' 68th wedding anniversary so will know more closer to the time, in all likelihood, sometime in July
Will say goodbye for now. Trust everyone is well. Signing off as Patrizzio, "The Perfect Son"! Mom actually squeezed my hand when I said those words when I first saw her after our return from Winnipeg. Whether by coincidence or not one cannot say, of course. However, it would be wonderful to think that she could hear and understand a few things. A number of years ago, at the dinner table, this is how she referred to me, causing quite a furor, as you can well imagine, among those friends and relatives at the table, engendering particularly hostile responses from Cora Lee and Chloë! Cheers, PPS!Very sorry to hear your news, hope you are doing as well as can be expected.Happy that you made it home and had a few days to spend with her.Bill was here having supper when kimberlee texted us to give use the news so he sends his condolences as well.Thinking of you all love the Grays at the Farm.
Hello Patrick,
What sad news - our deepest sympathy to you and your family. How good it was that you were home for these last days of your Mom's life - am sure it was comforting for her as well as for you to be there at her end. No matter how prepared you might have been it is still a tough time when death comes and am sure you will miss your Mom very much. I think when a parent dies, especially when both are gone, it is like a door closing on that part of your life or relationship with the person. At least that is how I felt when my Dad died.
As you know, our Moms shared the same birthdate - the 22nd of September - and often used to phone each other on that day. I did call Mom to let her know - she sends her condolences as well.
Thank you for letting me know and our regards to Corrine.
Love,
Roma & Leonard
Hi Jim!
Trust that the Triathalon went well. Sorry we weren't able to connect in Naramata/Penticton.I am so glad to let me know of Annie's passing. I am glad her dying was as peaceful as it was. I appreciate that we are never really ready to lose the ones we love. It was good of her to wait until you were home to take her leave of this life.
There was a saying years ago that pneumonia was the old persons friend. I think it may still apply when people are ready to go and nature has to find its way to accommodate the wish.
So thoughts and prayers are with you.Thank you for letting me know and our regards to Corrine. Love, Roma & LeonardDear Patrick, Corrin, and Cloe
My deepest sympathy to all of you. As much as we think we are prepared for the inevitable it is never easy.
You have been blessed with so many more memories than the average person. We are all so lucky that longevity runs in our families!
Will write later. On my way to a garlic festival and will be thinking of the good time the 4 of us had a few years ago.The Sutherland family would like to invite you and yours to we and ours to celebrate the life of Annie beloved mother of Patrick cherished grandmother to Chloe and loving mother in law to Corrine on monday night for dinner MicheleHi Patrick.We arrived on one piece and , as expected, have been working hard at the kitchen.
Very sorry to hear of your mother Patrick but I understand it was not unexpected.
Helping the kids out on Sunday and we are off to Sechelt on Monday for a couple of days so perhaps we can arrange to catch up either next week or the following. Best wishes
OK, the date is settled and quite fine with us. We’ll see you on Wednesday.Now, what’s needed for this celebration? In addition to personal drinks to imbibe - would you also like us to bring-along that which we intend to BBQ? Salads and sundry?Let us know and we can prepare and appear accordingly.Thanks for getting this gathering organized and set-up – I’ve decided to bring-along some historical surprises...PS: The photo is the wheelhouse or bridge of the MV Klitsa, plying the waters between Brentwood Bay and Mill Bay, Vancouver Island. It’s a user friendly way to avoid going up and over the Malahat Highway.Attention Il Conduttore,That is great news re the date change. Just a question; can we bring any food supplies, meat etc? Of course we will be accompanied with some fine grape juice.No email for the surveyor, but an old phone number may help.Looking forward to seeing you all. cheers, Bill & Denise.
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